Anglo American commits £170,000 to help create around 100 new businesses in North Yorkshire

Forty-two new businesses have already been created following the mining company’s collaboration with Scarborough-based business support specialist Yorkshire in Business, including a surf school, dry stone waller and a balloon company.

It is hoped that over 100 more new businesses will be created as a result of Anglo American’s latest investment, with the majority of these located in Whitby and the surrounding area.

Leah Hunter, who received funding to support the Whitby Surf School, said: “The funding and support I received allowed me to leave my second job in order to put more time and effort into running the business.

"That has allowed me to pursue doing what I love in running the Surf School, whilst developing and improving the business.”

Sarah Potter, who launched Whitby Balloons after taking part in the programme said: “Anglo American’s support allowed me to purchase the van that I make deliveries in. Without this, there’s no way I’d have been able to hit the ground running with the business.”

Vicky Bolton, social programmes manager for Anglo American’s Crop Nutrients business, said: “People often have great business ideas but not the right knowledge to bring them to fruition.

"With the support of Yorkshire in Business, we’re hoping we can offer that helping hand to make these new business ideas a reality.

“Our Thriving Communities programme supports economic growth in the local area and aims to connect people to the right opportunities. I’m proud of the impact the programme continues to have and I’m looking forward to seeing some exciting new start-up businesses created soon.”

Yorkshire in Business has been providing business start-up advice and support along the Yorkshire coast for over 30 years.

Chief executive Jenn Crowther said: “We’re really pleased to be partnering with Anglo American again to support start-ups in Whitby and the wider North Yorkshire coast, helping local people who have a good business idea but maybe need professional guidance and support to turn it into a reality.”

The investment announcement follows Anglo American’s pledge in February 2023 to invest £650m in capital expenditure into its Woodsmith project this year.

The project is building two mine shafts over a mile deep near Sneaton, south of Whitby and a 37km-long tunnel to a processing area at Wilton on Teesside.

In 2022, it invested £400m in the project. It expects to invest approximately £800m per year between 2024 and 2027. The project currently employs more than 1,650 people at its sites in Whitby, Teesside and Scarborough.

It will mine a giant deposit of the mineral polyhalite, which will be sold as a natural, low carbon fertiliser.

Applications by entrepreneurs and businesses for start-up funding are now being accepted by Yorkshire in Business. Visit yorkshireinbusiness.org.uk